The Holy Spirit
defender and consoler

Translation of the homily of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio
in the Basilica of Saint Laurence Outside the Walls
during the mass with the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation
during the solemnity of Pentecost
Rome 4 June 2006

The descent of the Holy Spirit, illumination taken from the Turin-Milan Hours, one of the three volumes into which the manuscript Très belles heures du duc de Berry, XV century, is divided, Civic Museum of Ancient Art, Turin

Now you will have the Holy
Spirit. Jesus teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a gift that He sends us
from Heaven. It is indeed important to have the Holy Spirit over us. What
will the Holy Spirit do? We have heard: «The Holy Spirit , whom Jesus
will give you, will lead you to complete truth». What does this mean?
That the Holy Spirit combats evils. The Holy Spirit comes over us and in us. He guides us.
He reminds us of everything that Jesus has taught us. He guides us straight
along the path, in situations that perhaps now we can’t imagine. He
guides us. The Holy Spirit guides us and insures that we have two very
important attitudes. If we all have these two important attitudes in life,
that are two virtues, we will have the full happiness of the Holy Spirit,
the consolation of the Holy Spirit. The first is the meekness that says:
«Don’t quarrel, brothers, you are my sons, good,
beloved». The Lord has told us the Spirit teaches us to be as
brothers among ourselves, therefore to love each other, to be united. The
second virtue seems contrary but is not contrary: it is strength. Strength
is the witness of Jesus Christ. Strength gives witness to Jesus: of not
being afraid to be Christian. This the Holy Spirit will give us. The Gospel calls Him the interior consoler, because he
gives us consolation. He gives you peace. The Gospel also calls him the
defender, the advocate. It is understood that the accuser is the devil. The
devil accuses us. He accuses us because he wants us to be sad, he wants us
with a bitter heart, sad. The Holy Spirit gives a heart sweet with meekness
and a heart strong with strength, according to the teachings of Jesus full
of joy. You candidates for confirmation, who will now receive
the Holy Spirit, pray for this small community of yourselves, who today, as
the first apostles, is formed in this church. Remember that the consolation
of the Holy Spirit makes us as children. We must remain as children,
because the Lord wants us to be children andour mother is the Madonna, and
now I invite you, candidates for Confirmation, to pray to the Madonna.
Stand up, Confirmation candidates, along with me, and with me, you are
ready for the Holy Spirit and pray with me. Let us say: Come, Holy Spirit, through Mary. Come, Holy Spirit, through Mary. Come, Holy Spirit, through Mary. Remember to hold the hand of the Madonna because if you
have the Holy Spirit and hold your hand in the Madonna’s hand you
will be happy.